As passionate and proud pooch parents ourselves, we know how important it is that your four-legged friends can join you on your family holiday, which is why we have such a fantastic selection of dog-friendly holiday homes in Cornwall.
Of course, no pup-friendly holiday in Cornwall is complete without a dog walk (or two), whether you fancy a quick amble before breakfast or a day-long hike full of picnics and sea swims.
Ready to explore this beautiful county on foot (and paw)? From coast to coast and head to tail, here are our top choices for pup-approved dog walks in Cornwall…
Coastal
We all know that Cornwall is blessed with an epic coastline – all 422 miles of it – and it’s home to just a part of the unique South West Coast Path that runs from Somerset to Dorset. And while we don’t expect you to cover the whole path while on holiday, there are many sections that are pawfect for dog walks…
Pentire Head, nr Tintagel
Best for: Breathtaking views and wildlife spotting
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3.4 miles
Type of walk: Circular
This stunning walk lies on the north Cornish coast between Polzeath and Port Quin, and takes in the glorious views over the Rumps (an ancient Iron Age hill fort), while on a clear day you can see Tintagel to the north and Stepper Point to the south.
A circular walk over National Trust land, Pentire Head is a haven for wildlife - keep an eye out for seals bobbing in the sea and birds of prey circling above you, while old lead mines are home to the greater horseshoe bat, one of Britain’s largest and rarest bats, which you might be lucky enough to spot if you’re walking at twilight.
Chapel Porth Beach to Trevaunance Cove
Best for: Beach explorations and history buffs
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 3 miles
Type of walk: Linear
With this walk near St Agnes, you can start at either end, with parking at Chapel Porth (free to National Trust Members) and Trevaunance Cove. Punctuated with stunning beaches to explore at either end of your ramble, with caves and rock pools to potter about in at low tide, this is a beautiful coastal walk.
Chapel Porth has seasonal dog restrictions in place during July and August, so this is a walk best enjoyed outside of the summer holidays if you want time on the beach. Part of the majestic Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, this breathtaking walk passes the iconic (and possibly haunted) Wheal Coates and the remains of the bustling tin industry – famously featured in the adaptation of the BBC’s Poldark.
Cawsand to Whitsand Bay
Best for: Spring and autumn walks
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 5.2 miles
Type of walk: Linear
This is a fantastic walk that takes in the Rame Peninsula, following the coastal path from the relative shelter of Plymouth Sound, traversing around majestic Rame Head (recently featured in the film The Salt Path) and finishing at the endless sands of Whitsand Bay.
A varied walk passing through woodland (keep an eye out for grazing fallow deer), Penlee Point where you can spot the famous Eddystone Lighthouse on a clear day, and Rame Head with its tiny chapel (where the invading Spanish Armada was first spotted), before carrying on towards Whitsand Bay. The beach here is dog-friendly all year, so perfect for letting pooches run free and burn off the last of their energy.
Kynance Cove and Lizard Point
Best for: Epic views and wildlife spotting
Difficulty: Challenging
Distance: 7 miles
Type of walk: Circular
This incredible hike takes in the most southerly point in the UK, starting at the car park at Kynance Cove, famous for its sandy beach and impressive rock formations. From here you follow the coastal path to Lizard Point along the cliffs, keeping an eye out for Cornwall’s national bird, the chough, as well as seals, basking sharks, and birds of prey. The flowers here are stunning too, with campion, hottentot fig, and frothy pink sea thrift to name just a few, blanketing the cliffs and stone walls.
Stop off at the café by the disused lifeboat station at the Point for a bite to eat, then carry on past the Lizard lighthouse and signal station, before heading inland through bustling Lizard Village back to Kynance Cove – a truly magical walk that will never be forgotten (but almost certainly repeated).
Marazion to Mousehole
Best for: Accessible paths and bustling town life vibes
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6.4 miles
Type of walk: Linear
This is a great walk for wheelchairs and pushchairs, as it follows tarmacked paths along the seafront. Starting in Marazion by the iconic St Michael’s Mount, the path follows the coast out of the village towards Penzance alongside the beaches and dunes of Marazion and Long Rock, and also passing Marazion Marsh, much loved by bird watchers.
Once in Penzance, it’s a fascinating walk past the busy harbour and on to the pretty promenade, passing roller skaters, the occasional busker, kiosks serving food and drink and plenty of places to sit and watch the sea. Moving on, you pass through the fishing village of Newlyn (possibly picking up some fresh fish as you go), before making your way to the chocolate-box pretty village of Mousehole.
Woodland
Whether you’re seeking shade in the summer months or beautiful colours in the autumn, Cornwall has some fantastic forests and woodland to explore. Here’s our top tree-lined treks to try out with the pooch in tow…
Cardinham Woods, Bodmin
Best for: Families and easy access
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Distance: Various trails available
Type of walk: Circular
Just five minutes from Bodmin, Cardinham Woods, stretching over 650 acres, lies nestled in a valley, following a stream. With five waymarked trails to explore, each well-posted and surfaced for all weathers, it’s great for all the family, and with mobility scooters for hire, it’s accessible for those with limited movement too. Follow the Stick Man activity trail with the kids, while Wallace and Gromit are on hand to keep little ones entertained.
Cardinham’s trails are a lovely way to spend a couple of hours amongst the trees, whether that’s a gentle amble followed by a picnic or a vigorous hike. With various lookout points, plentiful wildlife, and even a spot of history (Cardinham Woods is home to an ancient clapper bridge and the remnants of a lead mine), this is a fun day out for the whole family, with an excellent café for post-walkies cream teas – don’t mind if we do!
Tehidy Country Park, Camborne
Best for: Squirrel watching and easy access
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Various trails available
Type of walk: Circular
Covering over 25 acres and with over 9 miles of paths to explore, Tehidy is West Cornwall’s largest woodland and a doggie delight, whatever the weather. The park can be entered from one of its five access points, with North Cliff and South Drive car parks being the most popular starting points, and there’s a great café and toilets near the South Drive entrance for refreshments.
There are varied pockets of woodland, such as the sea-stunted trees of the North Cliffs, the stunning cathedral-like glades of beech trees, the ancient yews of East Lodge (one of which is said to be 400 years old), and the tree-lined, bluebell-edged lakes, where you’ll find the extremely friendly squirrels, who will take food from your hand if you let them!
Lanydrock Respryn Ramble, Bodmin
Best for: Nature and history lovers
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1 mile
Type of walk: Circular
If you’re paying a visit to Lanhydrock, there are lots of gorgeous grounds to explore, but the Respryn Ramble is a lovely, short walk in the shade of stunning trees that humans and dogs will both love. Meandering alongside the River Fowey through ancient woodland, keep an eye out for kingfishers and otters, the 15th-century bridge, ancient lichen-covered oak trees (some of which are over 400 years old), remnants of tin mining dating back to the 16th century, lithe hornbeam trees, horse chestnut trees and swathes of wild garlic in spring. If you’re walking at dusk and extremely lucky, you might spot Daubenton’s bats flying low over the river, searching for insects.
Penrose and Loe Pool, Helston
Best for: Gorgeous views and undulating paths
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6.25 miles
Type of walk: Circular
This gorgeous circular walk, circumnavigating Cornwall’s largest natural lake, Loe Pool, is a doggie haven. Weaving through a mixture of Victorian-landscaped and semi-natural woodland, trees gnarled by the sea, and the impressive parkland of Penrose Estate, it’s a long but fairly steady walk, protected by ancient trees along the way.
Points of interest include the impressive Loe Bar, a bank of sand that separates the sea from the lake, the stables and walled gardens at Penrose House (where you can stop for refreshments), and the swampy, low-lying Loe Marsh (hinting at a time when the sea came all the way up to Helston’s boating lake). Owned by the National Trust, there’s plenty of wildlife, including some lovely water-loving birds and rare species of trees. While a great beach for sandy zoomies, Loe Bar is strictly no swimming as rip currents make the waters unsafe for dogs and people alike.
Countryside
Proving that Cornwall isn’t just about the coast, there are some beautiful walks to be enjoyed inland for a different view of Cornwall, and doggies will love them as much as you. Here are our top choices…
Rough Tor and Brown Willy, Bodmin
Best for: Panoramic views and ancient landscapes
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
Distance: 5.2 miles
Type of walk: Circular
This is a dramatically awe-inspiring circular walk between Cornwall’s two highest granite tors, Brown Willy and Rough Tor, deep on Bodmin Moor. Definitely a hike where you’ll need your walking boots, you’ll pass cairns, stone circles, Bronze Age hut circles and other ancient neolithic sites as you hike, with Brown Willy offering the highest point in all of Cornwall (it’s 420 metres high) for simply breathtaking coast-to-coast views. Rough Tor, meanwhile, is best known for being the setting for the violent conclusion of Daphne Du Maurier’s novel, Jamaica Inn.
This walk, although not difficult, does require forethought (and fair-ish weather). Sturdy shoes are a must, and keep an eye on dogs as there are grazing wild ponies and sheep. Dogs must be kept on leads between the 1st of March and the 31st of July as the area is a breeding site for ground-nesting birds.
Trelissick, Feock
Best for: Gentle ambles and picnics
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: As long as you want
Type of walk: Circular
Trelissick is a National Trust-owned estate in South Cornwall near Truro that’s super dog-friendly and offers lots of fantastic walks. With 375 acres of open parkland, woodland, and shoreline to explore, dogs are even welcome in the gardens when kept on leads. This is a great place to let dogs roam free while you soak up the stunning views over the River Fal, the estuary, and out to sea.
There are various paths to follow, whether you want a short amble over the parkland or a trek through the trees to the 18th-century quay at Roundwood. Afterwards, head to the café where the outdoor courtyard is dog-friendly with water bowls on hand should your pup be thirsty too, or perhaps take a picnic to make the most of the spectacular setting.
The Camel Estuary, Wadebridge
Best for: Multi-generational family walks
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: As long as you want
Type of walk: Linear
The picturesque Camel Estuary is one of two of Cornwall’s inland National Landscapes, and offers easy, flat walking from its start in Wadebridge, where it’s just a small river, to its end at Padstow, where it opens up to a huge estuary. A haven for wildlife and wildflowers, the area is a rich mix of reed beds and salt marsh flats.
The Camel Trail, running from Wenford Bridge via Bodmin and Wadebridge and ending in Padstow, has been set up as a fabulous 18.3-mile-long route following the estuary, which can be broken up if you don’t want to attempt the whole length. Reusing an old railway line, the path is flat with a hard surface, making it suitable for all abilities and wonderfully wheel-friendly – the perfect family dog walk!
A gentle reminder….
There are a few key rules to follow when walking dogs in and around Cornwall, whether that’s in the countryside or on the coast:
· Watch out for adders in dunes and open ground, especially during warm weather
· Keep dogs on leads by cliff edges and around livestock
· If your dog likes to swim, be mindful of tides and rip tides
Excited to tour Cornwall with your pooch by your side? Explore our beautiful dog-friendly holiday cottages and start planning a pup-approved adventure today.